Leicester confirm appointment of Dean Smith as interim manager

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Leicester confirm appointment of Dean Smith as interim manager

Leicester City have confirmed the appointment of Dean Smith as interim manager until the end of the season.

Smith arrives at King Power Stadium alongside assistants Craig Shakespeare and John Terry, both of whom he worked with at Aston Villa, and has been tasked with helping the club fight off the threat of relegation.

The Foxes are currently 19th in the table, two points away from safety, and have been without a manager since they dismissed Brendan Rodgers in the aftermath of the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on April 1.

“I’m really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these final weeks of the season,," Smith told Leicester's official website, having taken over a side who have picked up just one point from the last 24 available.

"The challenge in front of us is clear, but it’s one myself and my coaching team have experienced before and, with the quality in this squad and the number of games remaining, it’s very much achievable.

“Our first job is to rebuild confidence and instil belief in the team and I’m looking forward to getting to work with the players this week. Saturday will be a big test, but it’s the kind of occasion that reminds us all what it means to be a Premier League club, competing on the biggest stages against the best players in the world. I know we’ll be well supported by our travelling fans. We have to connect with that and give them a performance they can be proud of. We go there positive, looking for points.”

First-team coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell oversaw two games as caretaker managers, which resulted in defeats to Villa and Bournemouth, and both will remain at the club as part of Smith's coaching staff.

Though Smith's deal currently runs until the end of the season, 90min reported earlier on Monday that an extension will be discussed in the summer should Leicester be impressed with the work of the former Norwich City boss and his coaching staff.

Smith's first assignment is an unenviable trip to Manchester City on Saturday evening, before a run of three successive games against other sides battling against relegation: Wolves, Leeds United and Everton.